Evolve

CPU Role — cores, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The Intel Core i7-12700K is a 12-core, 20-thread processor from the Alder Lake-S architecture, based on a 10 nm process. It operates with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. This combination of high core count and high boost frequency positions it strongly for modern gaming workloads, including the title examined here. The processor’s benchmark data shows a single-thread score of 1043 in 3DMark and a multi-thread score of 9979 at max threads, indicating robust per-core performance that is critical for game logic and physics, alongside substantial headroom for background tasks.

In the context of Evolve, the CPU’s role is to maintain a steady frame delivery, especially at lower resolutions where the graphics card is less likely to be the bottleneck. The data shows that at 1080p Low settings, the system achieves an average of 145.1 FPS. This high frame rate suggests the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU with enough data to saturate its capabilities, even when the graphical load is light. At 1080p Ultra, the average drops to 61 FPS, which is a significant reduction that indicates the GPU is now the limiting factor, as the CPU’s workload does not scale linearly with graphics settings.

The i7-12700K’s 25 MB of shared L3 cache and 1.25 MB per-core L2 cache are also relevant. These caches help reduce memory latency, which can be beneficial in fast-paced FPS titles where quick data access is necessary for smooth gameplay. The processor’s average benchmark score of 35684 places it in the 89th percentile of all CPUs, with its nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-13700T, being only 0.6% behind, and the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5845 being 0.3% ahead. This tight grouping suggests that the i7-12700K is near the top of its class, providing ample computational power for the game’s AI and simulation systems.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 is built on the Turing architecture with a 12 nm process, featuring 1920 shading units and a boost clock of 1680 MHz. It comes with 6 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, delivering a bandwidth of 336.0 GB/s. The memory clock runs at 1750 MHz, with an effective data rate of 14 Gbps. This configuration is designed to handle 1080p and 1440p gaming with high detail, but the 6 GB VRAM capacity is a potential constraint at higher resolutions and settings.

Looking at the measured results, the RTX 2060’s performance scales predictably with resolution and settings. At 1080p High, the average FPS is 87.5, which is a playable frame rate. However, at 4K Ultra, the average drops to 21 FPS, making the game effectively unplayable at that configuration. The data shows a clear pattern: the GPU’s compute power, rated at 6.451 TFLOPS FP32, is sufficient for mid-range gaming, but the 6 GB VRAM buffer is likely a limiting factor at 4K, especially with Ultra settings that demand more memory for textures and effects.

The GPU’s percentile rank is 58, and its average benchmark score is 16074. Its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon RX 7600S, is 0.5% ahead, while the AMD Radeon Pro 5600M is 1.7% behind. These narrow deltas indicate that the RTX 2060 sits in a competitive mid-range tier. In Evolve, the GPU’s direct impact is visible in the frame rate differences between Low and Ultra settings. At 1440p, for instance, Low averages 99.9 FPS, while Ultra averages 43.9 FPS, a drop of over 56%. This suggests that the GPU’s rendering pipeline, including its 48 ROPs and 120 TMUs, is being pushed harder as the settings increase, leading to lower throughput.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings preset depends on the target resolution and the desired smoothness of gameplay. For 1080p, the Low preset delivers an average of 145.1 FPS, which is exceptionally high and suitable for competitive play where high refresh rates are prioritized. However, for a more balanced visual experience, the Medium preset averages 114 FPS, while High averages 87.5 FPS. The Ultra preset at 61 FPS is still playable but offers diminishing returns in visual fidelity for a significant performance cost.

At 1440p, the Low preset averages 99.9 FPS, which is excellent, but the Medium preset at 77.9 FPS provides a better visual experience while remaining smooth. High at 60.7 FPS is right at the edge of the typical 60 FPS target, and Ultra at 43.9 FPS is below that threshold, suggesting that High is the highest setting that maintains a consistent frame rate. For 4K, the situation is more constrained. Low averages 58.4 FPS, which is marginally playable, but Medium drops to 41.3 FPS, and High to 33.2 FPS. Ultra is not recommended at 4K, as it averages only 21 FPS.

Given these numbers, the best experience is achieved by using the Low preset at 1080p for maximum frame rates, or Medium at 1080p for a balance of quality and speed. For users with 1440p monitors, the Medium preset offers the best compromise, providing 77.9 FPS without sacrificing too much detail. The data indicates that the RTX 2060 is best suited for 1080p gaming, with 1440p being viable at lower settings, and 4K being generally unsuitable for smooth gameplay.

FAQ

Q: What is the average FPS at 1080p with High settings?

A: The average FPS at 1920x1080 with High settings is 87.5.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rival in terms of average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700K has an average benchmark score of 35684, which is 0.6% higher than the Intel Core i7-13700T and 0.3% lower than the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5845.

Q: Is the RTX 2060 capable of running Evolve at 4K?

A: At 4K, the RTX 2060 averages 58.4 FPS on Low settings, but this drops to 33.2 FPS on High and 21 FPS on Ultra, making 4K playable only at the lowest settings.

Q: What is the GPU’s boost clock speed?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 has a boost clock of 1680 MHz.

Q: Which preset delivers the highest average FPS at 1440p?

A: The Low preset at 2560x1440 delivers the highest average FPS at 99.9, followed by Medium at 77.9 FPS.

Q: How many cores and threads does the i7-12700K have?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700K has 12 cores and 20 threads.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The measured FPS data reveals a clear trend of decreasing performance as resolution increases, which is typical for a system where the GPU is the primary bottleneck. At Low settings, the average FPS drops from 145.1 at 1080p to 99.9 at 1440p, a reduction of 45.2 FPS, and then to 58.4 at 4K, a further drop of 41.5 FPS. This scaling pattern is consistent with a GPU that is becoming increasingly taxed by the higher pixel count, as the CPU’s workload remains relatively constant across resolutions.

At Ultra settings, the drop is more pronounced. The average FPS falls from 61 at 1080p to 43.9 at 1440p, and then to 21 at 4K. The difference between 1440p and 4K is a 52.2% reduction in performance, which is significantly larger than the 28% drop from 1080p to 1440p. This non-linear scaling suggests that the RTX 2060’s 6 GB VRAM capacity is being exceeded at 4K Ultra, causing the GPU to rely on slower memory paging, which severely impacts frame rates. The data indicates that the GPU is the limiting component in this configuration, as the CPU’s high single-thread performance, evidenced by its 3DMark single-thread score of 1043, is unlikely to bottleneck at these frame rates.

The scaling from 1080p to 4K also highlights the GPU’s memory bandwidth constraints. With a bandwidth of 336.0 GB/s, the RTX 2060 struggles to maintain high throughput at 4K, especially with higher settings that require more data to be transferred. This is reflected in the fact that at 4K High, the average FPS is 33.2, which is barely above the 30 FPS threshold for playability. Overall, the resolution scaling analysis confirms that the RTX 2060 is best utilized at 1080p or 1440p, with 4K being limited to the lowest settings for a playable experience.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The following data provides a comprehensive breakdown of the measured average FPS for each resolution and settings preset, as recorded in the benchmark database. All values are average FPS, with no minimum or maximum frame data available.

1920x1080 (1080p):

• Low: 145.1 FPS
• Medium: 114 FPS
• High: 87.5 FPS
• Ultra: 61 FPS

2560x1440 (1440p):

• Low: 99.9 FPS
• Medium: 77.9 FPS
• High: 60.7 FPS
• Ultra: 43.9 FPS

3840x2160 (4K):

• Low: 58.4 FPS
• Medium: 41.3 FPS
• High: 33.2 FPS
• Ultra: 21 FPS

At 1080p, the system performs admirably across all settings, with even Ultra averaging 61 FPS, which is a solid frame rate for most gamers. The transition to 1440p shows a noticeable performance hit, but Medium and High settings remain playable, with 60.7 FPS on High being just above the 60 FPS target. At 4K, the RTX 2060’s limitations become apparent, as only Low settings achieve a frame rate above 50 FPS, and Ultra drops to a slideshow-like 21 FPS. These numbers indicate that the i7-12700K + RTX 2060 combination is a capable 1080p gaming setup, with 1440p being viable for users willing to lower settings, while 4K is best avoided for this title.